Event-Report: To the Moon and Back: Lunar Policy-making, Security, and Cooperation in Europe and Beyond

AIA Fellows Raul Gonzalez and Günes Ünüvar organized a workshop on the subject “To the Moon and Back: Lunar Policy-Making, Security, and Cooperation in Europe.” They brought together many distinguished experts from academia, policy, and industry to engage in critical discussions about the future of European lunar missions and the multifaceted challenges they present.

The exploring of the Moon is not only a technological endeavor but also a geopolitical and policy-driven challenge of significant importance. Throughout this workshop, Europe’s role within the broader context of global space exploration was examined. How does Europe position itself between major initiatives like the U.S.-led Artemis Program and the International Lunar Research Station spearheaded by China and Russia? What roles do European nation states, the European Union, and the European Space Agency (ESA) play in this renewed race to the Moon, and how can Europe best navigate its path forward?

In three panels experts delved into the key aspects of lunar missions, starting with a discussion on Europe’s strategic stance as a space power. The first panel explored the governance and coordination among European actors, setting the stage for the subsequent sessions. The second session was dedicated to the security dimensions of lunar and cislunar activities: How can sustainable and peaceful operations on the Moon be ensured, especially given the increasing geopolitical tensions involving major players like the U.S. and China?

The final panel examined the legal and political frameworks governing future lunar activities. This included pressing issues such as lunar mining legislation, space debris mitigation, and the management of lunar orbital traffic. It also addressed the convergence of competing policy frameworks in Europe, particularly the evolving dynamics between the European Union and the European Space Agency.

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